El Paso filmmaker, arts advocates unveil documentary on Luis Jiménez

Independent filmmaker Cesar Alejandro, second from left, speaks at a press conference announcing plans to produce a documentary film on the late El Paso artist Luis Jimenez Monday at the La Fe Cultural and Technology Center at 721 S. Ochoa. A group called United for El Paso plans to produce the project. Others at the conference include from left: Laura Rojo De Zamora, vice president of Alexandria Films, Adair Margo of the Tom Lea Institute, El Paso artist Gaspar Enriquez and Salvador Balcorta, CEO of Centro De Salud Familiar La Fe.

El Paso filmmaker Cesar Alejandro and other community leaders unveiled plans for an independent documentary about the career and legacy of the internationally acclaimed sculptor and painter Luis Jiménez.

"Luis was an example of how it is possible to change your life because of hard work and talent," Alejandro said. "He came out of the barrio all the way to the Smithsonian. That's not an easy ride."

Jimenez grew up in El Paso's Segundo Barrio. He often was applauded or criticized by art critics and others for his large fiberglass figures that captured the color and vigor of Hispanic American women and men.

Jiménez died in 2006 after a large sculpture of a horse accidentally pinned him against a steel support, according to news accounts. He was working in his studio in rural Hondo, N.M.

Alejandro's wife, Laura Rojo de Zamora originated the idea for a series of documentaries highlighting successful El Pasoans.

The couple owns Alexandria Films and organizes the annual International Film Festival.

Alejandro also announced that United El Pasoans for El Paso, a community group, will raise money for a series of PBS-style documentaries.

The group's website (UnitedElpasoansforEP.org) will tick off the days for a Kickstarter fundraising campaign starting Nov. 1.

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"We want to celebrate Luis and his art but at the same time we want to start this movement," Alejandro said.

"Let's forget all our divisions and see El Paso as a community working together in unison and be able to do something together in celebrating ourselves."

Alejandro estimated it will cost $250,000 to produce a high quality documentary that can be marketed to PBS. He said his company will donate $50,000 worth of pre-production costs.

"We want all the people of El Paso to be the producers of this documentary," Alejandro said. "If we all put in a little bit, we can make a big project."

One of the project's goals is to collect a recorded history of various El Paso people and their accomplishments.

Victoria Acosta, 19, a sophomore at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., applauded the idea of showcasing El Paso talent on a national platform.

She and other Creighton students were in the audience but came to El Paso to study immigration issues.

"I've never heard of this artist but this is fantastic, something that's really accessible to everyone," she said.

Adair Margo, an El Paso arts advocate and president of the Tom Lea Institute, described Jiménez as a significant artist.

"He's not just a Hispanic artist or an El Paso artist. He's an American, a world artist of whom we can be very proud," she said. "I'm thrilled that this project is happening."

Artist Gaspar Enriquez of San Elizario, describing Jiménez as a friend and mentor, said: "Without him probably I might not be as successful as I am right now. He opened a lot of doors for not only me but a lot of Chicanos throughout the country to get into the mainstream of the arts."

Salvador Balcorta, executive director of Centro De Salud Familiar La Fe, told reporters La Fe is proud to be part of the Luis Jiménez project because he is one of the giants in sculpture and painting in general.

"We are proud to have another son of Segundo Barrio being chronicled and noticed around our country," Balcorta said.

"Luis Jiménez and his legacy is one that will live on for many, many years, decades and centuries."